Jubilant Biosys Limited

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GVK BIO

Finance and I

Why Finance and I mix?

Coming from a humble background, I understood the importance of managing finances from an early stage of my life. I decided to pursue CA when I was in eighth grade since at that point it came across as the best possible option to build a career in finance.

To have an understanding and exposure to an entire business. This places me in a unique position of being a business enabler, counselor, strategist and value creator while maintaining the highest degree of integrity.

When I switch any company I would like to be remembered for

For creating values by bringing strategic thinking, vision and execution. Also, people should remember me for my value system. Also as direct and an open CFO who has the highest degree of integrity.

Next pit stop

We have created a vision for finance function in our organisation with certain key attributes. I would like to convert this vision into reality, bringing certain breakthrough technologies and acquisitions (within our fold) while driving business growth.

Leadership goals

To create as many leaders as possible and make myself just an adviser to the business and finance teams.

CFO’s role has already transformed from a bean counter to a strategist one. Going forward, CFOs will need to be much more technology savvy than what they are today.

Learnings

Another CFO I look up to

I worked with organisations of repute and learned from so many CFOs. It is difficult to mention just one.

Another leader/mentor do you look up to and why

One who is a visionary and doesn't micro manage.

One deal I wish I had done

An M&A opportunity for which we bid, but that fell short of expectations. It was a perfect fit for our organisation and would have given us a competitive advantage. I wish we could have bid a bit higher to be in the game.

One thing I still want to learn

Playing the guitar

My mantra for adapting for change...

Change is only constant and you are taking a risk by not taking a risk, so embrace change, learn and adopt to be relevant.

In the War Zone

What was the toughest decision you had to make in your role as a CFO?

This takes me back to some 18 years back when I had to let a team member go due to integrity issues and misreporting of numbers in one of the business units. That was the toughest.

What is the most challenging thing you faced in your current role? What is your biggest learning in these VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguous) times?

Managing multiple projects at the same time while maintaining growth momentum. I was simultaneously working on rolling out of SAP S/4 HANA across the organisation and on the merger of two large operating units.

My role has led me to work on commissioning of new plants, several expansion projects as well as ensuring the smooth transitions to GST and Ind-As regulations in addition to meeting the company’s financial numbers.

How do you wish to transform the CFO’s role in the future?

I think the CFO’s role has already transformed from a bean counter to a strategist one. Going forward, I envision technology is going to further change the way finance function works. CFOs will need to be much more technology savvy than what they are today.

Do you feel that with current scenario of digital transformation your business metrics have changed? How?

Yes, today with digital transformation, business metrics have considerably changed. For instance, books need to be closed in days and not weeks. The finance function is increasingly getting into more and more predictive analytics.

Have you transformed into a Digital CFO yet?

I began the journey by rolling out SAP, however there is a long way to go!

Updated - 27th Jul, 2018

ONE LINERS

Stress Buster

Meditation

Guilty Pleasure

A glass of Scotch

Prized possession from first salary

None, first salary got robbed!

Favourite book / movie

Listening to light, old melodies

My comfort food / activity

Anything which I lay my hands on and is interesting at that moment

Top three things on your bucket list

Learning how to play the guitar, running a marathon and a long holiday with family and friends

What specific mental, physical, emotional and/or spiritual activities do you engage in to keep yourself operating at optimum level

Meditation, exercise, time with my family and occasional visits to pilgrimage places